It can be overwhelming as a first-time homebuyer to understand all the mortgage options that are out there. Pacific Lending Group makes the pre-qualification process easy and stress-free, with no added cost to you. Read more
Difference Between 15-Year Vs. 30-Year Fixed Loans
When you take out a mortgage, options are to choose between fixed-rate mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages. Fixed-rate mortgages interest stays the same for the entire life of your loan. In contrast, adjustable-rate mortgages have interest rates that change according to external market conditions.
Virtually all home loans are “fixed rate,” but they can be either short- or long-term loans. If you’re planning to buy a property, refinance your current mortgage, or consolidate debt, knowing the difference between 15-year fixed vs. 30-year fixed loans can help you make an informed decision.
Key differences between these two mortgages:
Length of the Repayment Period
Your monthly repayments will be higher than with a 30-year loan, but you’ll pay less total interest throughout the loan. This means you’ll own your home sooner and can potentially make a much larger payment towards equity, as the interest will build up over a shorter time.
A 15-year loan is often referred to as a “half-a-loan” because you’ll make half the number of payments you would with a 30-year loan.
Interest Rates
The interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is always lower than that on a 15-year fixed mortgage. That’s because a borrower who opts for a 30-year term commits to paying the loan off in half the time so that they can expect a lower interest rate as compensation for the increased risk of such a long-term loan.
The interest rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage, by contrast, is generally higher than that charged on a 30-year fixed mortgage. That’s because the shorter term makes it less risky for lenders, so they are willing to charge a higher interest rate.
Mortgage Insurance
If you take out a 30-year fixed mortgage, your monthly repayments will be lower than an equivalent 15-year fixed mortgage. That means you’ll have more money available each month to pay your property taxes and insurance premiums at the start of your mortgage term, which will significantly reduce the amount of mortgage insurance you’ll need to pay.
However, this comes at a cost: Longer-term mortgages are riskier for lenders, requiring mortgage insurance. Your mortgage payments will include monthly MIP premiums, also called private mortgage insurance or PMI.
Why Bother With 15-Year Fixed vs. 30-Year Fixed?
As you can see, fixing the interest rate on a home loan for longer-term will result in a lower monthly repayment. This can be of major benefit to many borrowers.
One significant advantage is that you can afford a larger home by stretching out the loan term and still keeping your monthly repayments low enough to manage.
The biggest benefit of a 15-year fixed mortgage for many borrowers is that your monthly repayments will be lower than if you took out a 30-year fixed loan.
Banks typically require you to pay higher MIP premiums when you don’t have much to put down as a down payment or if your credit history is marred. A 15-year term allows you to put off paying higher premiums in the short term, even though your monthly premiums will be larger in the long term.
Contact Pacific Lending Group to Make the Right Choice
Pacific Lending Group has an extensive track record delivering competitive interest rates for 15-year and 30-year fixed loans to all credit profiles. Contact us today at 954-227-4727
Mortgage Rate Lock: When to Lock In a Rate
Mortgage Rate Lock: When to Lock In a Rate. Buying a home can be a stressful process, especially when it’s your first time. When you’re looking for a mortgage to help pay for your home, there are many things to consider. Mortgage rates are constantly shifting, and you need to keep an eye on them to ensure you get the best rate.
When you want to ensure that you’re getting the best rate, you have to lock in a rate before it’s too late. Here is what you should know about mortgage rate locks:
What’s A Mortgage Rate Lock?
A mortgage rate lock is when a lender offers to guarantee the interest rate on your home mortgage for a fixed period. While the lender may ask for a fee for doing so, it can vary depending on the lender you are working with.
The lock period generally starts from the time you begin the process for the loan all the way to the time you end up closing on the loan. Once your interest rate is fixed, it won’t be changed unless you end up changing crucial details on your application form.
When Is The Best Time to Lock In A Rate?
If you’ve already begun the process of looking around for good lenders in South Florida, you might already be at the stage to lock in a lender. When you’ve compared a few mortgage interest rates, contact the lender who offers you the best conditions and interest rates.
Once approved for a home loan, you can lock in a rate with your desired lender. While you can wait and see if the mortgage rate goes down, this can be both a waste of time and money. The rates fluctuate, and trying to predict them can take more effort than it’s worth without conclusive results.
Does It Cost To Get A Rate Lock?
Depending on your lender, you might be charged for a rate lock, or it can be free. Ensure that you ask beforehand so you are not blind-sighted by any unexpected fees. If you end up paying for a rate lock, it can be dependent on the amount of your loan and the prevailing interest rate.
You should be aware that rate locks can last up to 30 days in most cases; if you plan to take longer than that to complete your mortgage process, you should talk to your lender.
Consulting With An Expert
When you’re thinking about locking in a rate, you need to take guidance from a lender on the best way to do so. There are some risks associated with locking in a rate that you might not be aware of, and a reliable lender can help you through the process while making sure you’re aware.
Looking to Lock In Your mortgage rate lock? We’re Here to Help
If you’re shopping around for the best mortgage rates in South Florida, Pacific Lending Group can help. Our years of experience and excellence ensure that you never make a wrong decision regarding your home mortgage. Our mortgage professionals can guide you through the process, so you never have to second-guess yourself. Call us today at 954-227-4727 to schedule an appointment and get started with your home mortgage process.
When Do You Know It’s Right to Refinance Your Home?
Refinancing a home mortgage loan is an important decision that can save you thousands of dollars in interest and reduce your monthly expenses. However, it is a significant undertaking and should only be done when the benefits outweigh the costs.
You’ll pay off your current mortgage and take a new one with refinancing. This is not something you should do lightly because it can lead to missed payments, damaging your credit score.
Let’s find when is the right time to refinance the mortgage on your home:
When You Can Obtain a Lower Interest Rate
The amount of time it will take you to recoup the refinancing costs is heavily dependent on the interest rate, so when you see your rates are trending downward or about to fall, that can indicate that it’s time to refinance.
However, the process of refinancing can be a lengthy one, so you should only consider it when rates are going to go down.
When You Need to Reduce Monthly Payments
Your home is the biggest asset you own. It should come as no surprise that refinancing to a loan with a lower rate and/or better terms will reduce your monthly payment.
When refinancing, you can often get a longer-term or a lower rate, or both. If you are interested in lowering your monthly payment, refinancing can benefit you.
When You Want a Better Mortgage
While refinancing can help you reduce your monthly payment, it may not result in a better deal. If the rates and fees associated with your loan are too high for you, refinancing could provide a better option.
When you take out a refinance loan, the total cost will be higher than your current loan. However, the amount you spend on interest and fees should be smaller, resulting in a lower monthly payment and/or a better loan term.
When You Need to Consolidate Debt
Refinancing can be a great way to consolidate debt. You may want to refinance the mortgage if you have other debts, such as credit card debt or an auto loan.
By consolidating all of your debt into one loan, you will save some money since you won’t be paying any fees for multiple accounts. Low-interest rates can be challenging to find, but refinancing can make it happen.
If you use your home to consolidate your debt, you need to be sure that the loan will help you pay off your other debts faster.
If You Want to Take Out or Receive Cash
While refinancing your home is generally not used to take out cash, it can be something that you use to provide some quick cash for a purchase.
If you go through some of your equity when refinancing, you can get the money you need to cover an emergency or another financial need.
Call Pacific Lending Group for the Right Advice!
If you are ready to refinance your property, you must make the right decision. Pacific Lending Group holds extensive experience in refinancing loans and is happy to help you with your decisions.
Call our specialists at 954-227-4727 or visit us online to learn more.
Increase Your Chances to Get Approved by a Mortgage Company
Getting your mortgage approved is not as easy as most people think due to specific criteria that need to be met. However, at Pacific lending Group, we have recommendations that you can follow to increase your chances of getting approved for a mortgage loan. Read more